Divorce For Dummies

After your divorce is over, you enter a new phase in your life. You may feel happier than you have felt in a long time, free of the tension and strife that plagued your marriage. Life after divorce can represent a time of personal growth, rediscovery, and new opportunities. On the other hand, being single again can be an intimidating and lonely experience — particularly if divorce was not your idea and you are unprepared for life on your own or if you have sole custody of your children.

Important and difficult decisions have to be made when you’re working out the terms of your divorce, especially if minor children are involved. Basic conditions of your divorce that need to be decided on are Who will have physical custody of your children? Who will have legal custody of your children? If you will have sole or primary child custody of your children, what visitation rights will their other parent have?

If you’re going through a divorce, basic decisions need to be made with your spouse. Interview divorce attorneys before you decide to hire one to help with your divorce and keep a list of national and local resources available in case you need divorce advice and support.Basic divorce decisionsImportant and difficult decisions have to be made when you’re working out the terms of your divorce, especially if minor children are involved.

Hiring a trustworthy divorce attorney is an important decision, whether you work with them from the beginning to end of your divorce or on a limited basis. Your attorney can affect the cost, course, and outcome of your divorce. To find the right attorney to help with your divorce, ask these questions when you meet: How long have you been practicing divorce law and how many cases have you handled?

If you need financial or legal advice, or emotional support, when going through a divorce, keep this list of national, state, and local resources readily available for help: American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (312-263-6477): Through this organization, you can find a family law attorney in your area to help you with your divorce.